Two types of masking tapes Multifix stocks and how they fare against Frogtape

Masking tape is something of an essential for those in the trade, be it carpentry or refurbishment. Easy to use, flexible and generally pretty small, it’s a necessity for most toolboxes.  

But, does it matter how much you pay for your masking tape? Is there really much difference between the market leader and cheaper products? And if not, can a bargain be had? 

At Multifix, there are two types of masking tape in particular that we stock – unbranded masking tape and our Multifix blue masking tape.  

To find out, we did a test pitting them against Frogtape, the market leader, which you can see in the video below. 

We wanted to determine how the tape peels off and how it impacts any paint it is trying to separate, which brought interesting results.  



Unbranded tape  


For the test, a standard paint was used and the 25mm unbranded tape, the cheapest out of the three, fared pretty well all things considered.  

It peeled off very easily and left no marks at all on the rough surface it was placed upon, which was a very good start. The width of the unbranded tape was thinner than the blue Multifix tape and the Frogtape, but there were no real issues.  

There was enough from the test to show if you wanted to use the unbranded tape and wanted to put one strip partially over another to get a bigger width, you could do so without any problems.  

The only slight blemish was that when you peeled the tape away, the paint was maybe a little bobbly and could be picked at once it had fully dried.  

It wasn’t anything too detrimental, but compared to the others, this is where the cheaper price tag definitely came to fruition.  

Multifix blue masking tape 


Alongside the unbranded tape was the 50mm Multifix blue masking tape, which was much stickier than the unbranded tape, but came away just as easily.  

It is also double the size of the unbranded tape, which naturally means it can cover more space, but this doesn’t make any difference to how easily it peels away, also leaving no marks.  

The increase in price when it comes to how sharp the paint lines are is warranted compared to the unbranded masking tape too, as the Multifix blue masking tape leaves a much sharper finish.  

However, there is still a slight element of crumbly paint, which could be picked at once it had dried and would otherwise leave an imperfect finish.  

That being said, it’s a big upgrade on the unbranded and especially useful if you have to cover more ground, too.  

Frogtape 


The reputation Frogtape has earned as a market leader is thoroughly deserved and in this test, it came up trumps compared to the other two.  

In very much a vase of “you get what you pay for,” the lines left behind from the Frogtape were the sharpest out of all three, easily winning the best finish.  

It also peeled off very easily, but there is less of it in a full tape compared to the other two. Both the unbranded and Multifix blue masking tape are in rolls of 50m, while the Frogtape comes in rolls of 41m.  

In terms of width, it sits in-between both the unbranded and the Multifix blue with a width of 36mm, but peels off very easily and does its job brilliantly.  

Even though you get less per roll, it is the most expensive out of the three options, but the caveat to that is that you’re getting the best out the three by acquiring it.  

Tale of the tape 


To wrap things up, there is very good reason why we stock what we do. Both of them have strong positives and in relation to all three, some are better than others in certain areas.  

In regards to what is best for you, that would depend on your project. If you need to cover more width, then the Multifix blue masking tape won’t let you down. If you need something cheaper but reliable, then the unbranded tape will do a good job.  

However, if you want precision on the paint, then the Frogtape will be the best bet for you and you’ll get what you pay for. You can find Frogtape on many stocklists, including Amazon, Screwfix and Toolstation.  

To find out more about Multifix’s range of masking tape, you are more than welcome to get in touch with us. You can do so by following this link.